Statement on the Dignity of our Sisters and Brothers who are Immigrants

As members of the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) and compelled by our directional statements, we are called to uphold the Gospel values of justice, dignity, and belonging in all aspects of our ministry. In a time when our sister and brother immigrants and refugees face unjust treatment, exclusion, and fear, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to cultural transformation and to the inherent dignity of every person, particularly those on the margins. 

Religious life has long been shaped by the faith and witness of immigrants. From the earliest missionaries to today’s international congregations, our Church has been enriched by people who have journeyed across borders in search of safety, opportunity, and the freedom to respond to God's call. As consecrated religious, we are called not only to welcome but also to accompany those in need, walking alongside them with compassion and solidarity. 

As vocation ministers, we recognize that fostering religious vocations today requires a conscious and ongoing practice of intercultural transformation – the ability to approach others with openness, self-awareness, and a willingness to learn from those whose experiences differ from our own. Accompaniment challenges us to journey with immigrant communities, to share in their struggles and hopes, and to work together for hospitality and mercy. Intercultural transformation and accompaniment compel us to confront systemic inequalities, to listen deeply to the stories of immigrants and refugees, and to create spaces where all are welcomed, respected, and empowered to discern God's call. 

In light of the current treatment of our sister and brother immigrants, we:

• Decry the dehumanizing policies and practices that criminalize migration and separate families, contrary to Catholic teaching and the values of religious life; 
• Affirm the right of every person to migrate in pursuit of safety, stability, and dignity, as articulated in Catholic social teaching and in the joint pastoral letter Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope (2003) 
• Stand in solidarity and accompaniment with immigrant communities, many of whom form the heart of our parishes, schools, and religious congregations; 
• Commit to cultivating an interculturally transformative vocation ministry, recognizing that diversity is not a challenge to overcome but a gift to embrace; 
•  Encourage our members and communities to actively listen to, accompany, and advocate for immigrant and refugee populations with compassion and justice. 

We acknowledge that intercultural transformation is not a destination but a lifelong journey. In vocation ministry, this means continually examining our attitudes, structures, and practices to ensure that they reflect the inclusive love of Christ and the global nature of the Body of Christ. 

As we accompany individuals discerning a call to religious life, we do so with a renewed awareness that God's call transcends borders, languages, and cultures. Let us be faithful stewards of that call by building a culture of vocation rooted in Gospel values and deep respect for every person’s sacred story. 

Published by the National Board, September 2025

Current NRVC National Board

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